Australia one win away from semi-finals of Billie Jean King Cup after 36-year first

There was no Ash Barty and then Australia lost Ajla Tomljanovic too but it didn’t stop a massive upset win.

Storm Sanders couldn’t hide her elation after the biggest singles win of her career pushed Australia into the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup in Prague.

Australia needs to just take down Belarus on Thursday to secure a place in the last four of the teams event, which was formerly known as the Fed Cup.

The Aussies went to the teams event without world No.1 Ash Barty and then lost Ajla Tomljanovic on match day due to a non-Covid-related illness.

But after Daria Gavrilova’s upset of world No.70 Greet Minnen 6-4 1-6 6-4 in her first professional match since February, Sanders, ranked 131 in the world, then stormed past Elise Mertens 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-0 to give Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie against Belgium.

Sanders and Ellen Perez lost the doubles to Mertens and Minnen 6-2 6-4 but the 2-1 victory sealed Australia’s first success over Belgium in the competition since 1984.

“To do it in this moment, representing Australia, it is just the best feeling ever,” Sanders said after her massive singles win.

Storm Sanders celebrates defeating Elise Mertens. Picture: Michal Cizek / AFP

“It feels absolutely amazing,” Sanders, 27, said.

“I knew it was a tough ask coming out and playing Mertens, but I’ve played her before and definitely felt like I knew her game.

“We had a good game plan, which I went out and executed. To have the team on the sidelines was an awesome feeling, and even though I lost the first set, I still felt like I was in control and doing all the right things. It’s incredible to get the win.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played a set that well in my life. I don’t think I made many unforced errors and was definitely hitting the ball well. I was just enjoying it and having fun out there.”

Daria Gavrilova also won for Australia. Picture: Michal Cizek / AFP